Marcos: Anti-Govt plot has been thwarted

Press, 22 September 1980, Page 7

Marcos: Anti-Govt plot has been thwarted

NZPA-Reuter Manila President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines has said that investigators have uncovered evidence of a conspiracy against his Government involving elements in the United States. He added that the conspiracy’s bid for power had been substantially thwarted. Answering questions on a spate of bombings in Manila that has killed one American woman and injured many others, Mr Marcos said the fear now was that those whose plans had been defeated would join with more radical groups who support outright terror. If the bombings continued, he said, the Government had a new contingency plan to deal with them. He gave no details.

Mr Marcos was talking on the eighth anniversary of his imposition of martial law. | The 63-year-old President!

produced on television two Filipino brothers whose other brother, a FilipinoArterican, Victor Lovely, was seriously hurt when a bomb exploded in his dormitory room earlier this month.

Questioned by Mr Marcos, Romeo and Balthazar Lovely talked of a direct link between their elder brother, Victor, Benigno Aquino in the United States, and a domestically-based Opposition leader, Senator Jovito Salona.

Mr Salona later denied any involvement in the bombings. Mr Aquino, a former senator, is a long-time foe of President Marcos. He decided not to return to the Philippines after the President released him from house arrest to undergo treatment for a heart ailment in Texas.

The President said the evidence of the two brothers also pointed to a link with

the Light-A-Fire Movement, whose alleged leaders are on military trial accused of plotting to assassinate Mr Marcos and members of his Cabinet.

The Philippine leader, speaking on the eve of the eighth anniversary of his 1972 declaration of martiallaw rule, said: “On the surface, we have evidence which interconnects with various groups.” Asked if he would reconsider his plans to lift martial law in six months time, the President said, “No,” and reiterated that he would make a decision in March next year. He appealed to the domes-tically-based Opposition to work with him against violence, and reiterated that peaceful opposition was allowed in the Philippines.; “But the moment they utilise violence, they are working to destroy the country.”